The purchase price was $11.95 million, according to a news release from the two companies.

The transaction, scheduled to close in October, brings the influential North County publication along with the The Californian, serving Temecula, under the local stewardship of MLIM Holdings (Manchester Lynch Integrated Media), owned by U-T San Diego publisher and hotel entrepreneur Douglas F. Manchester.

“We are excited and honored that the North County Times and Californian will become a part of our vision: to better serve San Diego and Temecula through a multiplatform strategy,” Manchester said.

No decisions have been made on staffing, Lynch said. The company is conducting market research for guidance on combining operations and a branding strategy.

“Those who love the North County Times should embrace this acquisition, because we’re going to be able to give them more of what they want,” Lynch said. “That’s why we’re doing research, to determine what they want. It has always been our strategy to respond to what the readers want, and provide that.”

The deal will allow U-T San Diego to further leverage its marketing and advertising platforms, which include the UTSanDiego.com website, the U-T San Diego iPad News App and other digital offerings, along with the print newspaper, the broadcasting startup U-T TV on Cox Channel 114 as well as various Spanish-language digital and print properties.

Beyond this deal, Lynch said the company continues to look at acquiring publications in adjacent markets where it can apply the business model that has made U-T San Diego successful at a time when many other U.S. newspapers continue to struggle. Earlier this year, Manchester was in discussions to buy The Orange County Register, but in July that newspaper was sold to an investment group led by Boston-based businessman Aaron Kushner.

“In terms of advertising, we believe that we have a great offering in our multiple platforms. The whole beauty of our concept is one-stop shopping for advertisers and marketers,” Lynch said. “We will have the opportunity for North County advertisers not only to continue to advertise in the North County Times, but to utilize all our platforms so we can bring additional strength to their efforts.”

Lynch praised the North County Times’ prep and youth sports coverage, calling it “highly regarded.” U-T San Diego has recently increased its commitment to prep and youth sports on multiple platforms, under the leadership of Larry Graham, the new executive sports editor, and this acquisition will continue that initiative, Lynch said.

U-T San Diego employs about 700 people, including those working under its U-T TV broadcast arm, and has a large office and printing plant in Mission Valley. Its North County office is in San Marcos. Manchester has released plans for eventually redeveloping the Mission Valley property, which could displace the printing plant. Lynch doesn’t envision moving print production to the North County Times facility, which only has one press.